The Department of Home Affairs confirmed on their website that it will no longer be accepting applications for Distinguished Talent Visa (Subclass 124). This visa is designed for individuals to apply for permanent residency directly or via invitation through SkillSelect. The primary criteria for grant of the visa is for the applicant to be outside Australia at the time of grant.
What does this mean for those wishing to lodge a new Distinguished Talent Visa Application?
Those applicants wishing to access the Distinguished Talent Visa via the Standard Stream or the Global Talent Independent Stream will need to lodge an application for Subclass (858) Distinguished Talent Visa.
The key changes are:
- An applicant can be either in our outside Australia for lodgement and grant
- An applicant must hold either a Substantive Visa or a Bridging Visa A, B or C
- Tourist Visa applicants (Including subclass 600, 561 and ETA) holders can now apply for the Distinguished Talent Subclass 858 visa onshore and will be permitted to remain in Australia until such time that a decision is made on their visa application
Summary
The removal of onshore and off-shore versions of the same visa subclass is a positive step in the right direction given the current pandemic. This is also aligned with the Government’s overall aim to remove the need for the applicant to be either in or outside Australia for specific visas.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/distinguished-talent-124
Global Talent Independent Stream
Candidates wishing to apply for Global Talent – Independent Stream are able to do so by completing an expression of interest which can be found here: